christ church, uniting disciples and presbyterians 2017 volume 11, issue 9 "the messenger of...
TRANSCRIPT
September 2017 Volume 11, Issue 9
"The Messenger of Love"
Christ Church, Uniting Disciples and Presbyterians 1300 Kailua Rd, Kailua, HI, 96734-4356 Phone: 808.262.6911
Worship - Sunday, 10AM Email - [email protected]
www.ccukailua.org
Pastor Liz Leavitt www.facebook.com/ChristChurchUniting
Greetings CCU 'Ohana,
My message this month is a simple one of thanks. I am so grateful for
the whole CCU community and its care and support last month around
the loss of my dad. Your kind words, cards, messages and affirmations
buoyed me up in this process and your compassion and understanding
were profound gifts to me during such a difficult time. Both reminded me
of the many blessings participation in a faith community can offer, things
we often take for granted. A circle of care to share one's joys and sorrow
as well as a living witness to human perseverance through all kinds of
loss, these are the gifts of the church and never have I been so grateful
for them.
You are a truly caring congregation active in sharing Christ's love. The
balance of this very full newsletter is proof of that. So know that I am
glad for my own place in that work and that my thanks are always with
you.
Blessings,
Liz
September 2017CCU Event Schedule:
Sundays: 10 am, Worship & Aloha Fellowship
9/2, Sat: 8AM CCU's Men's breakfast at Honey's at Ko'olau Golf course
9/4, Mon: Labor Day Holiday, Office closed
9/8, Fri: 7PM Vespers on the Lanai welcomes Kimo Hussey
9/9, Sat: 9AM, Family Promise set-up
9/10 - 9/17: CCU hosts Family Promise
9/18, Mon: 5PM, Stated Council Meeting
9/20, Wed: Contributions to the October newsletter are due
A few guests at the women's shelter have voiced an interest in learning to
knit. If there are any knitters among you or in your congregations who
could dedicate time to provide knitting classes or knitting supplies, it would
be greatly appreciated.
We also have a guest who is a fabulous artist. Her favorite medium is
watercolor, and she asked if I could help her find watercolor paper and
pencils.
Irene Willis Hassan
Chaplain | Community Liaison
Institute for Human Services, Inc.
O. 808-447-2842 M. 504-327-7498
2017 Sept Ka Elele Aloha Page 2 of 18
With the end of Summer approaching, I wanted to give you an update on
where we stand financially, share a couple things we are looking at to
make it easier to give to CCU, and solicit some volunteers for an
important function in the financial life of our church.
First, we are doing fairly well in terms of our budgeted revenue and
expenses -- but the "Summer doldrums" have affected our pledged
giving receipts. If you have been away and fallen behind in your pledge,
please bring it up to date as soon as you can. We will be sending out a
report once we close the books on August, so please be looking for that.
To make it easier to give -- especially when you are traveling -- we are
exploring making online giving available on our website, and have looked
at several software solutions on the market. More on that later. They all
seem to have the option of texting a gift, although there is a monthly fee
for that service. Please let me know if you would use the "text to give"
option if we were to include it (in addition to a "donate" button on the
website) by sending me an email at [email protected].
Finally, we have a dedicated group of volunteers who team up to
count the pledges and loose offering received every Sunday.
Mahalo to Jon Davidann, Paul Haring, Susie Jannuzzi, Jimzy Lui, Clancy
Lyman, Ron Seiple and Richard Smith. Since we need to have two
tellers count every Sunday, they have to commit to covering about every
third month. It would be great to add to their numbers. The process
takes 10-15 minutes after worship, and is fairly straightforward. There
are detailed written instructions, and I will conduct a training for anyone
willing to volunteer. We also make a point of assigning a new teller with a
more experienced teller, to facilitate the integration process. Please let
me know if this is an area where you would be willing to support CCU's
financial programs and processes.
Thank you for all you do to support the mission and ministry of CCU.
Dianne
2017 Sept Ka Elele Aloha Page 3 of 18
This spectacular floral
arrangement was shared by
the Brennan's on August 6th,
and were dedicated in
celebration of safe summer for
our keiki & opportunities to
return to school.
Saturday, Sept. 16, 9AM-2PM
Central Union Church
Sunday, September 3,8:30-11:30 am
HI-5 CONTAINERPICK-UP DAY
at CCU.No glass bottles, please.Please put containers in
Heidels’ white pick-up truck,which will be parked in the
CCU parking lot.CCU has chosen to give allrecycling collections to the
Institute for Human Services.~ an expression of compassion ~
~ a practice of eco-justice ~
SeptemberAnniversaries
Melissa & Paul Belanger........6
Deborah & Patrick Tom........11
September 1-30!
Foodland's Annual Community
Matching program. Every
Maika'i card holder can donate
up to $249!
2017 Sept Ka Elele Aloha Page 4 of 18
11:00am @ St. John
Discussion with IHS on how the
churches can assist in a
constructive way (A continuation of
the discussion started in the fall of
2016).
Contact St. John at 808.261.5787
or [email protected] for more
information. St. John is located at
1004 Kailua Rd, Kailua
September 10-17
Contact Marian Heidel if you
can help
September
BirthdaysCarl Grantham .....................2Jean Tsuji ............................2Carleigh Grantham...............3Peggy Zeilinger ...................6Jon Davidann .....................12Elayne Cho .........................29
Join the men of CCU at their monthly men's
fellowship breakfast on September 2nd at
8am at Honey's at the Ko'olau Golf Course.
This month's topic "President Carter, Am I a
Christian?", by Nicholas Kristof (shared by
Paul Haring). View the article on our website
at: www.ccukailua.org/ministries/mens-
fellowship-breakfast-topics/.
2017 Sept Ka Elele Aloha Page 5 of 18
Mark your calendars for
the September Vespers.
CCU welcomes Kimo
Hussey on Friday,
September 8. Opens at
6:30PM, Music at 7PM.
Bring a lawn chair, a
dessert and a friend!
See you there!
We'll continue with our bible study on Mark through the month of September,
meeting after worship for 30-40 minutes. No preparation or prior attendance
required, so join us as we romp through the gospel together!
Coming up in October, we'll be offering a special series on Race and Racial
Privilege. Back at our 8:30-9:30am slot, we'll begin October 1 to discuss how race
plays a role in our lives, in our community and in our country and to ask how racial
conversations unfold in the unique setting of Hawai'i. Pastor Liz will be leading our
discussions assisted by Lisa Strong, a new participant in our community currently
working on her Masters Degree in Conflict Resolution. Please plan to join us and
look for more details in your upcoming eblast and your October newsletter.
2017 Sept Ka Elele Aloha Page 6 of 18
Christ Church Uniting will be hosting Family Promise
September 10 - 17, 2017
It is getting closer to the time that our guests arrive. Marian Heidel and Pat Gilbert
need to hear from YOU! We still need 9 overnight hosts and have four nights
open for providing dinner. Also, Saturday, 9/9, 9 a.m., we are setting up the
rooms for our guests. Please let Marian know if you are coming to help. Mahalo
for your continuous generosity of spirit and time.
Marian Heidel Pat Gilbert: 254-3509
261-4585
This is the offering we make for Peace & Global Witness (PC/USA) and
Reconciliation (Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Half of which we give goes to
each denomination. The Presbyterians ask us to take a quarter of their half, and
donate it to a local organization doing peace work. (If you have a suggestion
for the latter, please let the Mission Elder, John Heidel, know.)
2017 Sept Ka Elele Aloha Page 7 of 18
The Presbyterians’ Peace and Global Witness
Offering enables the church to promote the Peace of
Christ by addressing systems of injustice across the
world. The offering is used by the Presbyterian Mission
Agency to advocate for peace and justice in cultures of
violence, including our own, through collaborative
projects of education and Christian witness. In the
coming weeks bulletin inserts and moments for mission
will provide examples.
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has a
history dating from the 1960s of sharing our resources
to address the racism of our society and the racism
within our own church. They have called this process
the Reconciliation Ministry. The form of this ministry
may be changing, but the need for addressing racism
has never been more obvious. The 2020 Vision
adopted by our denomination names this work as one
of the four priorities of our mission together as a whole
church. We receive this offering in the fall and use the
funds throughout the year to give grants to the pro-
reconciliation/anti-racism initiative to organize to
dismantle systems and structures that perpetuate this
sin of division within the Church. This voluntary annual
offering is the only source of funding for this ministry.
Your gifts may be given any Sunday this month or on Oct. 1st; offering envelopes will
be provided. Checks may be made out to Christ Church Uniting, and Peace-making
Offering written in the memo line at the bottom lower left corner.
2017 Sept Ka Elele Aloha Page 8 of 18
New this year...Currently customers who shop using their own reusable bag have
the option of receiving a 5¢ credit or 3 HawaiianMiles for each reusable bag they
bring and use. During September, customers may choose to donate their 5¢
bag credit to the Give Aloha matching gifts fund!
Make sure that your receipt has your name on it before turning it into the
office. Copies are okay.
2017 Sept Ka Elele Aloha Page 9 of 18
Gratitude Corner!
"Give thanks in all circumstances."
1 Thessalonians 5:18
This month, we give a huge:
MAHALO to those who were able to help with the Marsh Clean-Ups organized by
the Kailua Historical Society on Saturday, July 29 and August 5. CCU made a great
showing caring for the earth and our community.
MAHALO to those who helped, and brought desserts and friends to our August 9
Vespers event with the Saloon Pilots! A wonderful night!
MAHALO to Lauren Buck Medeiros for an wonderful sermon on August 20th.
MAHALO to all of the people who provided special music this summer.
MAHALO to Paul Brennan for his seemingly unending supply of beautiful altar
flowers.
Facilities Updates
(keeping you informed about how our buildings and grounds are being
reformed!)
Sanctuary flooring is on-going. A asbestos and moisture test will be
done.
Looking into installing additional spigots along-side the Seagull/CCU
fenceline. Estimates are being gathered.
2017 Sept Ka Elele Aloha Page 10 of 18
Charlene Hosenfeld
As I said in the last column, I believe we should ask thequestion: What is the Christian response to violenceagainst God’s Creation, against our planet and all itsinhabitants? Despite all the attacks on the environmentemanating from the White House, the EPA, theDepartment of Interior, and Congress, there are manyhopeful signs. Here a just a few:
1. Hawaii was the first state to enact portions of the Parisclimate agreement into law with Senate Bill 559 signedby Governor Ige. Staff and funds are now available for theOffice of Climate Change, Sustainability, & Resiliency.
2. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell and representatives of allof the other Hawaii mayors signed proclamationssupporting efforts to combat climate change and toprepare for its effects.
3. The bipartisan group of over 250 mayors at the U.S.Conference of Mayors in June adopted a “100%Renewable Energy in American Cities” resolution. Andat least 140 mayors have signed the Sierra Club’s“Mayors for 100% Renewable Energy Pledge”. MayorCaldwell supported both.
4. Honolulu City Council passed a new plastic bag baneffective January 2018. Stores will no longer be able tooffer the heavier “reusable” plastic bags — a loopholefrom the previous ban. Customers can take their own bags(Yes!) or buy one for 15 cents from the store. Eliminationof plastic and compostable bags will be effective in 2020.
2017 Sept Ka Elele Aloha Page 11 of 18
5. Based on scientific predictions that by 2050 there could bemore plastic in our oceans than fish, the SurfriderFoundation launched a program in California in 2015 toaddress this issue. In April 2016, the Hawaii chapter begantheir Ocean Friendly Restaurant program. The basiccriteria: no polystyrene (aka Styrofoam) use; only reusabletableware for on-site use; no plastic bags; and properrecycling practices. They have certified 125+ Hawaiirestaurants as Ocean Friendly Restaurants.
More next month…..
Keep Hope alive!
And go see "An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power".Excellent!
Every one of our actions matter — now more than ever.
Central Union Church Women's Retreat
October 20 -22, 2017
Each October, the women of Central Union Church and their friends set a weekend
aside to relax and renew in the beautiful North Shore setting of Camp
Mokuleia. Our Retreat Planning Team has been joyfully working to bring this year’s
weekend to life, using the theme: SISTERS OF THE SPIRIT!. We are delighted to
share that Rev. Liz Leavitt will once again be sharing her thoughtful insights.
Additionally, we will discover new ideas in mindfulness and navigation from our dear
sister, Marion Lyman-Mersereau! Plan now to come, relax, and grow while you
are surrounded by women “Seeking to Embody Christ.” Registration is open.
Go to https://docs.google.com/forms
/d/e/1FAIpQLSfDYQFdEDP2W2fUNHnAfHC0HK_Xxzn8Xu556qEnZwcoCZg4WQ
/viewform to register..
2017 Sept Ka Elele Aloha Page 12 of 18
The mission of Family Promise of Hawai’i is to mobilize existing community
resources to aid families with children experiencing homelessness and help them
transition to sustainable independence.
Family Promise of Hawai’i is an innovative program to help families with children
escape homelessness by providing safe spaces. FPH provides a safe space during
the day at our two Family Centers, and partners with local congregations, churches,
synagogues, temples, mosques and community groups to provide safe places to
sleep at night. Founded in Hawai’i in 2006, we opened up our first Family Center in
Kailua, and then in 2007, we expanded to our second Family Center in Honolulu.
Due to our unique model, we operate at 1/3 the cost of traditional homeless shelter
programs because we seek the support of existing community resources.
Reflection from Bob GranthamIn response to our summer sermon series, "How to Argue about the Bible and Other
Things," Bob Grantham submitted this reflection about his recent experience caring
for a friend, Kenny, through his sudden sickness and death this summer. Bob's
thoughts here raise the necessity of taking more time to discuss the topic of
physician assisted death, and thus the church would like to extend an invitation to
anyone who is interested to join in such a discussion to meet for a salad potluck
supper on Thursday, October 5th at 5:30pm. We'll hear from Bob and some
others with experience in this field, and we will make room for open discussion
about the moral and ethical implications of such programs.
2017 Sept Ka Elele Aloha Page 13 of 18
Robert Grantham
When you are retired, Saturday mornings no longer have an attraction for sleeping
late and getting a slow start to the day. Saturday, May 27, 2017 turned out to be a
special Saturday that I will not forget for a long time. About 8:30 AM I found myself
sitting in the passenger side of an ambulance speeding down Kalanianaole Highway
toward Castle hospital. With sirens blaring, the EMT driver did an amazing job of
sorting his way through very close knit traffic. My friend Kenny Glover who had been
visiting with me for the past month suffered a massive stroke and was promptly
admitted to Castle hospital.
Kenny, a lifelong resident of Baltimore, Maryland, had arrived here on April 21,
2017. I met Kenny when he was about 14 or 15 years old and a member of my Boy
Scout troop in Baltimore. Kenny’s mother died when he was four years old. He
quickly gravitated into my family and has remained a close family friend. Recently
retired at age 63, when Kenny spoke to me about coming to Hawaii to visit me I
asked him how long he could possibly stay, and he promptly said “I will stay as long
as you need me.”
Kenny’s only living relative is his brother Ray who is a few years older than Kenny. I
spoke with Ray on the phone each day to bring him up to date on Kenny’s condition,
which unfortunately had not changed; he was in the Intensive Care Unit at Castle
hospital. A few days later his brother called me and told me that the resident
physician at Castle told him that Kenny had had a stroke that caused colossal
irreversible brain damage and that he was in a condition described as “locked in
syndrome”. His brother further told me that the doctor had advised him that Kenny
did not desire to continue his life in this condition. I was asked to speak to the doctor
personally and determined if these were Kenny’s wishes.
The “locked in syndrome” is a condition in which the physical damage results in total
paralysis of your entire body: you cannot move, you cannot speak, but you can hear
every word that is said in your presence. Dr. Roman Cortez, a staff physician at
Castle, told me that Kenny can only communicate by blinking his right eye. If you
asked him a question and the eye remained closed the answer was no; if the eye
2017 Sept Ka Elele Aloha Page 14 of 18
blinked open the answer was yes. I leaned down very close to Kenny with Dr. Cortez
on my right side and listened carefully as the doctor went through many questions
and demonstrations; for instance pressing on his chest and asking Kenny if he knew
that that was artificial respiration. The blink of the eye indicated yes. This
examination lasted about 15 minutes and I was able to listen carefully and be
satisfied and convinced that Kenny not only knew how bad his condition was, but
also that it was not treatable, and that he had no desire to live that way and wanted
to die.
Outside the room I spoke with Dr. Cortez and thanked him and said that I would call
Ken’s brother, who said he would feel comfortable in giving permission for the doctor
to withdrawal all forms of life support. Surprisingly, Dr. Cortez told me that this was
not necessary because he had a clear indication that Kenny was fully aware of the
injury and the prognosis, and that he was perfectly mentally capable to give them
permission to remove life support.
When I arrived to visit Kenny the next day the respirator had been removed, the IVs
had been removed, and the feeding tube had been removed. I visited Kenny almost
every day and spoke with him, and our conversation was of a type that I had never
experienced before. Needless to say this was one of the most dramatic and stressful
situations that I had ever been involved in.
Nine days later, July 5, 2017 Kenny died.
The main thing that ran through my mind during this incident was: for many years
our legislators here in Hawaii have been trying to address this problem and still my
friend, fully aware of what was happening to him, took nine days to starve to death.
Something certainly needs to be done. I fully realize that in any situation involving
physician-assisted death you will find many pitfalls and dangerous situations. The
inability of our legislators to solve this terrible problem is something we should all be
vitally concerned with showed that no person with his full mental capacities should
be faced with the loss of the dignity of death.
2017 Sept Ka Elele Aloha Page 15 of 18
Help with Hurricane Harvey Relief: Donate to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
(PDA) or Week of Compassion Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, PCUSA's national
disaster assistance program, stands ready to assist. PDA is able to deploy
resources at a moments notice through our One Great Hour of Sharing offerings
collected at Easter each year. PDA has already set up a designated fund to give
to Hurricane Harvey relief: https://www.presbyterianmission.org/story/prayer-
midst-hurricane-harvey/
You can also contribute through the Disciples of Christ's Week of Compassion
fund (it is the relief, refugee and development mission fund of the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ). You can designate your offering for Hurricane Relief by
using this link:
https://docgeneralassembly.webconnex.com/weekofcompassion.
2017 Sept Ka Elele Aloha Page 16 of 18
Date Name Duty3-Sep Liz Leavitt Minister
George Wyman &Clancy Lyman Usher / Greeter
Richard Smith LiturgistJohn Heidel T Prayer / Serve Comm. / Bldg Lockup
10-Sep Liz Leavitt Minister
Rollo Scheurenbrand &Charlene Hosenfeld Usher / Greeter
Paul Haring LiturgistPaul Brennan T Prayer / Serve Comm. / Bldg Lockup
17-Sep Liz Leavitt MinisterKeith & Peggy Zeilinger Usher / GreeterCourtney Nichols LiturgistCourtney Nichols T Prayer / Serve Comm. / Bldg Lockup
24-Sep Liz Leavitt MinisterRichard Smith & Paul Haring Usher / GreeterMarian Heidel LiturgistJohn Heidel T Prayer / Serve Comm. / Bldg Lockup
2017 Sept Ka Elele Aloha Page 17 of 18